On June 20th, 2013 the design community and their industry friends got together at the Sunnyside Pavilion to raise money in support of the fight against women’s cancers and have a little fun. These are some of the memories from a great event.
In just 3 short years, over $80,000.00 has been raised for the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Odette Cancer Centre.

Dominion Modern continues its Oral History Project with another addition to its bank of interviews. Interview conducted by John Martins
Interior designer Ray E. Staples (1919-2012) was a pioneer in the field of interior design in Canada and a founding member of the Association of Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO)
http://www.dominionmodern.ca/archive/?q=donate
Ray was classically educated and trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and mentored by a wonderfully colourful and supportive mother who helped shape what Ray would become in life.
Staples was colourful, outrageously eccentric and disarmingly honest. Her personality matched her design sensibility, and clients loved her. “Our attention was caught by her artistic charisma, enhanced by her flowing cape, shockingly bright red hair, and outrageous Robin Hood hat that featured a long feather swirling up towards the ceiling. When she spoke her words matched her outrageously eccentric appearance. Direct, bold and completely honest, her opinions would leave listeners bristling or fading in shock.” *
Ray Staples began her career in the 1940’s. She was a leading light in Canadian design circles and a mentor to many young designers. Her popular quote, “Where’s the fucking magic?” points to the nature of trends and what’s in vogue, and her wanting to bring colour and life into the beige box of contemporary design.
Staples was also a pioneer in bringing design and architecture to Canadian broadcasting. Her CBC show, Outside/Inside ran from 1972-1974. More recently she was a frequent guest on Cityline with host Marilyn Denis.
http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/Deaths.20120721.93299261/BDAStory/BDA/deaths
http://www.arido.ca/
http://www.pafa.org/
*from book, Sliced Bread, Rosemary Phillips, 1999

Excellence. Innovation. Originality. Calling all Registered members, the ARIDO Awards are now open. Enter your project to win one of the highest honours in the interior design industry.
Make your Mark. For more information, visit arido.ca/awards.